NDC says its registration remains valid and vows to resist attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through the courts.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted that it remains a legally recognised political party and will continue participating in the country’s electoral process despite the recent court ruling against it.
The party disclosed that it had filed an appeal against the judgment alongside an application for a stay of execution and injunction, adding that the processes had already been served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a request for the electoral body to act in accordance with the law.
According to the party, all nomination processes had been concluded and candidates had already emerged for various elective positions across the country through primaries monitored and documented by INEC.
“What is left is the administrative process of submitting the names to INEC, and we have been granted access to the portal to upload our qualified candidates,” the party said.
It added that the names of its National Leader and Presidential Candidate had already been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the Vice Presidential Candidate would be submitted upon completion of the necessary documentation.
The party further stated that the ongoing upload of candidates was in line with the electoral timetable released by INEC.
“In accordance with the INEC timetable, which we have religiously abided by, we have between now and the 11th of next month to upload all National Assembly candidates, while those of governors and State Houses of Assembly will end on the 17th of July. So there is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” it said.
The NDC also acknowledged internal disagreements arising from its primaries but assured aspirants and party members that reconciliation efforts had commenced across the country.
“As they know, only one person can emerge victorious in primaries, no matter how well conducted. The processes were not perfect, but we have tried to resolve these differences within this short period, for a new party dealing with such a high volume of aspirants in a direct primary situation managed by stakeholders in every state and by party leaders,” the statement said.
The party pledged to accommodate all aspirants in campaign structures and committees, describing them as critical to its grassroots strength and expansion plans.
“The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone, to complement what I and the leadership have continued to do. And we assure them that all those who expressed interest will be carried along in the party’s campaigns, committees and structures, because they constitute the grassroots strength and the backbone of our party,” it added.
The NDC used the occasion to warn against actions it said could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system and political institutions.
“Our multi-party democracy must not die. We will not allow desperados and mercenaries parading as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy,” the party declared.
The party also commended INEC for what it described as professionalism in handling its registration and subsequent political processes.
It specifically praised the commission’s leadership for complying with court directives on the registration of the NDC and two other political parties, while also acknowledging its position in legal proceedings involving opposition parties and leadership disputes within other political platforms.
The NDC said the future of the matter now rests with the judiciary following the filing of its appeal and related applications.
“Having filed and served our appeal and the accompanying applications, the ball is now in the court of the judiciary, and we expect the judiciary to do what is right under the law,” the party said.